in our next life, can we come back as graphite?

Maria Kirilenko notched a first round win versus Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. She beat the tough Spaniard 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1, and I’m seriously hoping for a good end-of-the-season run to close out a moderately successful season: two doubles titles — San Diego with Zheng Jie; Cincy with Vika — plus that singles QF appearance at the Australian Open. (Draw: Toray PPO Singles)